Samenvatting
Background and aims
The problem of Facebook addiction has received quite some attention lately. Thus far however the prevalence and correlates of Facebook addiction have been examined solely in student samples. As the average Facebook user is growing older, it is interesting to investigate whether Facebook addiction also affects adult Facebook users and to explore its determinants, specifically for this age group. The aim of this study is to determine the validity and underlying factor structure of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), developed and commonly used among student samples (Andreassen et al., 2012), for a non-student population.
Methods
A survey was conducted among Belgian adult Facebook users (aged 25-80y), generating 1188 usable responses (mean age 49,5y). The questions contained the 18-item BFAS scale, translated with back translation in Dutch and French, as well as self-declared Facebook addiction. Exploratory factor analysis is performed on the BFAS scale in order to determine its underlying factor structure and correlates with self-declared Facebook addiction are examined.
Results
The internal consistency of the 18-item BFAS proved high (Cronbach alpha =,94). Regarding the underlying factor structure, however, only four of the six original sub-factors seem to emerge: conflict, salience, withdrawal and mood modification. The original sub-factors tolerance and relapse could not be retrieved as separate dimensions.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that Facebook addiction also prevails amongst adult Facebook users. Moreover among our adult population the 18-item BFAS scores very high on internal consistency. A closer look at the underlying factor structure however seems called for.
The problem of Facebook addiction has received quite some attention lately. Thus far however the prevalence and correlates of Facebook addiction have been examined solely in student samples. As the average Facebook user is growing older, it is interesting to investigate whether Facebook addiction also affects adult Facebook users and to explore its determinants, specifically for this age group. The aim of this study is to determine the validity and underlying factor structure of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), developed and commonly used among student samples (Andreassen et al., 2012), for a non-student population.
Methods
A survey was conducted among Belgian adult Facebook users (aged 25-80y), generating 1188 usable responses (mean age 49,5y). The questions contained the 18-item BFAS scale, translated with back translation in Dutch and French, as well as self-declared Facebook addiction. Exploratory factor analysis is performed on the BFAS scale in order to determine its underlying factor structure and correlates with self-declared Facebook addiction are examined.
Results
The internal consistency of the 18-item BFAS proved high (Cronbach alpha =,94). Regarding the underlying factor structure, however, only four of the six original sub-factors seem to emerge: conflict, salience, withdrawal and mood modification. The original sub-factors tolerance and relapse could not be retrieved as separate dimensions.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that Facebook addiction also prevails amongst adult Facebook users. Moreover among our adult population the 18-item BFAS scores very high on internal consistency. A closer look at the underlying factor structure however seems called for.
| Originele taal-2 | English |
|---|---|
| Pagina's (van-tot) | 41-41 |
| Aantal pagina's | 1 |
| Tijdschrift | Journal of Behavioural Addictions |
| Volume | 5 |
| Nummer van het tijdschrift | Supplement 1 |
| Status | Published - 2016 |
| Evenement | 3rd International Conference of Behavioral Addictions - International Conference Center Geneva (CICG), Geneve, Switzerland Duur: 14 mrt 2016 → 16 mrt 2016 Congresnummer: 3 http://www.icba2016.org/ |